At Porchester, we believe that excellent attendance is vital for every child’s success.

Regular attendance ensures that children fully engage with their learning, build strong friendships, and develop the essential skills they need for their future. Research shows that even small amounts of absence can have a significant impact on a child’s academic progress and well-being.

That’s why we have a robust and proactive approach to managing attendance, working closely with families to support and encourage regular school attendance. Our clear systems for monitoring and addressing absence include early intervention, support, and strong partnerships with external agencies when needed.

By working together, we can continue to foster a culture where attendance is valued, and all children have the best opportunities to succeed.

Parents/Carers Legal Responsibility 

Your legal responsibility as a parent or carer is to ensure that your child or children of school age receive a suitable full-time education, by either enrolling your child or children at a school or by making other arrangements such as elective home education.

Once enrolled at a school, it remains the parent or carer's legal responsibility to ensure that their child attends school regularly and arrives on time each day.

Parents and carers are encouraged to maintain good attendance by:

• making sure they and their child understand the importance of school attendance and punctuality and know what the school rules are
• talking to the school to discuss what support is available if your child has any issues which could affect attendance levels
• avoiding making appointments during the school day, and if this is unavoidable, provide evidence (where possible) that an appointment was attended - this will enable the school to authorise the absence
• not taking holidays during school term-time

If you're a parent of a child of statutory school age (between 5 and 16 years) who is registered at a school you are responsible for making sure they attend school regularly.

The National Guidelines for Attendance

Guidance on Attendance and Illness

• Is my child too ill to come to school?

• Nottinghamshire County Council - Attendance